Hypermobility and hoof plantar angles.

[BBP]

I didn’t want to jump in to the caudal heel pain thread so thought I’d start another. I haven’t had time yet to read the links on the other thread but I will try to do so.

I was just wondering what your thoughts were on hypermobility and whether it could be a causal factor in a horse failing to develop heel behind?

BBP has been barefoot his entire life and lives across a variety of surfaces (grass, sand, concrete, limestone, rubber). He has always had a low and under run heel and too long toe behind. Currently trimmed every 5 weeks with every effort made to bring back the toe and leave the heel. I saw some improvement when I was able to boot him with pads every day but now in wetter weather and with rugs for them to catch on it’s less possible to do this.

I wondered if his hypermobility might be partly responsible, and his weight comes down further back than on a horse with shorter, more upright pasterns and more stable fetlock joints. So there is more abrasion put through the heel and more of a forward slide to the foot as it lands? I have wanted to develop the heel to take the strain off the suspensories, but I’m wondering if it’s a vicious cycle in that the lax suspensories are impacting the plantar angles? X-rays show them to be flat.(I’ve put left hind photos and right hind X-ray, as they were the first I found, but they are similar)
I’d be interested to hear thoughts from the more knowledgable. Thanks!

 

[ycbm]

I would think it's everything to do with it. His feet just aren't under his legs, are they?

He is a horse I would consider shoeing, in an attempt to preserve heel growth and to see if heel extensions would reduce the pastern drop.

 

[EJJ999]

How old is he? I understand hypermobility is ok until they reach adult age then as things begin to relax the problems start.

 

[BBP]

He’s 15 now. I’ve had him since he was 3 but had never realised he was hypermobile (to my shame). It’s only now I have slow motion video and someone pointed it out I have clocked it and seen he has always been like it, and has always had on/off soundness issues. He has PSD in the right hind, vets said it’s likely to degenerate rather than improve but never mentioned DSLD even when I asked.

My issue with shoeing him is the prospect of him hurting himself, as he is so errant with his legs as he leaps around. Horses like him also don’t like standing on three legs for a prolonged period as it puts more strain on the supporting fetlock, so trimming is quicker and easier for most DSLD horses. It’s a difficult balance.

 

[EJJ999]

My story isn't a positive one. But my understanding is that suspensorys go first in a hypermobile horse. It's the connective tissue being excessively stretchy. The problems start when the 'stretch' relaxes as the horse gets older.

I was also told the difference is PSD and DSLD isn't worth anything. They are more or less the same. Same problems anyway. Don't know if you can see the attached.

https://www.facebook.com/4Dimension...ding-horses-on-spectaculari/1681830031936285/